Aitor Karanka : Real Madrid deserve to be champions

Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka has claimed that the team deserves to win the La Liga title after their 3-1 win at home to Sporting Gijon.

Goals from Gonzalo Higuain, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have kept leaders Madrid on course for their first championship since 2008.

"It is the work of a fantastic group of players, who give immense joy and deserve to be champions," Karanka told reporters.

"Sporting closed us down very well. I did not expect it though, because a point would not have been worth much to them, but it took a big effort from us."

The coach also hit back at critics of Jose Mourinho who have claimed that the manager is too defensive in his tactics.

"For those who say that Mourinho is too defensive, you only have to see the goals," he added.

Madrid remain four points ahead of Barcelona in the table after the Catalan club's 2-1 win at Levante.